Rotherham park keeps Green Flag award

BEAUTIFUL Clifton Park has retained its Green Flag status.

Rotherham’s much-loved green lung, which was packed with sun-seekers enjoying the first week of the summer holidays, is recognised in Keep Britain Tidy’s annual Green Flag Awards.

A record number of beauty spots across the UK are on the 2016 list — more than 1,600.

In total, 1,686 parks, cemeteries, universities, shopping centres and community gardens have met the high standard needed to receive the Green Flag Award or Green Flag Community Award, the quality marks for parks and green spaces.

Elsecar Park in Barnsley and several Sheffield beauty spots, including

Devonshire Green, Ecclesall Woods, Firth Heritage Park, Meersbrook Park, the

Peace Gardens, Sheffield Botanical Gardens and Weston Park, have also been awarded Green Flags.

Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Awards.

“All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”